Roy Keane

Irish footballer and Manchester United captain known for his aggressive midfield play, leadership, and role in United's 1990s-2000s dominance.

Roy Maurice Keane was born in Cork in 1971 and started at Cobh Ramblers (1989–90) before Nottingham Forest (1990–93). Manchester United paid £3.75 million for him in 1993 and he spent 12 seasons as the heartbeat of the most successful English club side of the decade. He made 480 United appearances, scoring 51 goals and providing 97 assists. He earned 67 Republic of Ireland caps scoring 9 international goals. His top speed of 30.8 km/h and 11.8 km covered per game reflected his engine. He won 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League. His performance in the 1999 semi-final against Juventus — already suspended for the final — is considered one of the finest individual Champions League displays. He won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year double in 2000. He scored 32 goals in 154 Premier League appearances from central midfield. A brief spell at Celtic (2006) preceded his retirement. After United he had brief spells at Celtic (2006) before retiring. As a manager he took Sunderland to the Premier League and managed Ipswich Town before becoming a television pundit. His total of 83 goals in 668 career appearances is exceptional for a defensive midfielder.

Combative defensive midfielder known for his leadership, work rate, and tenacious tackling

Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders and captains in Premier League history

• Champions League 1999
• Premier League 7x
• FA Cup 4x
• PFA Players' Player of Year 2000
• FWA Footballer of Year 2000
• UEFA Champions League 1999
• Premier League 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
• FA Cup 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

Club Career

Club	Period	Apps	Goals	Shirt
Cobh Ramblers	1989–1990	—	33	#16
Nottingham Forest	1990–1993	88	12	#4
Manchester United	1993–2005	138	7	#4
Celtic	2005–2006	248	23	#4
Ireland	—	67	9	—